Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Mesquite, TX (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Mesquite

Texas
89

Huntington Beach is 155% more expensive than Mesquite.

$2,424/mo ↑ 72%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↓ 42%
$119,885/yr ↑ 67%
Median Income
$71,843/yr ↓ 40%
$1,047,300 ↑ 362%
Home Value
$226,500 ↓ 78%
$2,436/mo ↑ 76%
Owner Costs
$1,383/mo ↓ 43%
196,010
Population
148,848

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Mesquite, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 89 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,017/month cheaper in Mesquite, saving renters about $12,204/year.

Median household income is $48,042/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $226,500 in Mesquite.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Mesquite residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Mesquite — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Mesquite cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Mesquite is cheaper to live in with an index of 89 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Mesquite?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Mesquite it's $1,407/month — a difference of $1,017/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Mesquite?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $71,843 in Mesquite. Median household income is $48,042/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Mesquite?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Mesquite has a cost index of 89 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Mesquite details →

More Comparisons

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